UF students will soon have 3-D printing capabilities, use of more iPads and access to Wi-Fi in the Natural Area Teaching Lab in the southwest corner of campus, thanks to the 2013 technology fee awards.
The technology fee awards focus on enhancing instructional technology resources, said UF Information Technology spokeswoman Tracy Gale. The money for the projects comes from a state-mandated technology fee, which was first implemented at UF in 2009.
This year, about $700,000 in funding was allocated for 11 upcoming campus projects.
“Technology changes so fast,” she said. “The tech fee allows us to deliver cutting-edge software and services to meet the changing needs of not only the technology but our students and faculty.”
Gale said students, faculty and staff were all eligible to submit proposals. In May, a committee evaluated this year’s 30 submissions. The winners will receive funding in August.
The committee looks for proposals that will improve the academic technology environment for the greatest number of students, she said.
With funding being allocated in the Fall, Gale said, the time it takes to implement the projects will vary. Proposals that call for classroom renovation would take place in the summer, she said.
Sara Gonzalez, a science and technology librarian, applied and received funding for the 3-D printer that will be in the Marston Science Library. Because several fields are now requiring employees to be able to use these printers, she said, the 3-D printer is something students should become experienced with before they graduate.
Peggy Carr, associate dean and professor for the College of Design, Construction and Planning, received funding for the creation of a joint digital fabrication laboratory.
“We think that this is an area of student interest that is going to grow,” she said. “We really feel like it’s essential to have these facilities for our students.”
Contact Alexa Volland at avolland@alligator.org.
